MALIBU, Ca.-Trailing 9-2, the Wildcats scored five runs to draw within two of the Pepperdine Waves but ultimately came up short in a 10-7 loss. Pepperdine improves to 3-0 while Villanova drops to 0-3.

In the first four innings of the series finale, Pepperdine outscored Villanova 7-0 with majority of the scoring coming from four RBI singles.

Facing a 7-0 deficit in the fifth, Villanova began to chip away at the lead. With the bases loaded, AJ Hansen was patient at the plate and drew a bases-loaded walk for Villanova's first run. The next batter was Chris Rotondo, who lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center to score Cameron Hassert and set the score at 7-2, Pepperdine.

The Waves quickly countered in the bottom of the fifth with two more runs and extended their lead to 9-2. Despite the large lead, the Wildcats continued to plug away and Cameron Hassert plated a run with an RBI single to left to put the Wildcats within six.

The momentum was on Villanova's side in the top of the seventh. Rotondo plated Hansen with an RBI single and Rotondo later scored on a passed ball to shorten Pepperdine's lead to 9-5. With two runners in scoring position, Jack O'Reilly lined a ball back up the middle for a two-run single to put the Wildcats within two.

Tyler Arella held the Waves in check in the seventh inning and received some help from Hansen in right field. With two outs and a runner on second base, Connor Bradshaw singled to right field and Hansen fired a laser at home to nab the runner and keep the deficit at 9-7.

Pepperdine added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth off an error for a 10-7 lead that Villanova was unable to come back from.

Inside the Box Score
Hassert went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.
O'Reilly reached base safely in all four plate appearances in the series finale.
Jonathan Cole tossed two scoreless innings in relief and fanned three batters in his Villanova debut.
Rotondo smashed two homers, drove in six runs and stole a base throughout the opening series.
 
The Wildcats continue their road trip with a three-game series in Charleston where they will take on The Citadel starting on Friday, February 25. First pitch is at 3:00 pm.